Royal Welsh goat William “Billy” Windsor to make first public appearance

Royal Welsh goat William “Billy” Windsor to make first public appearance

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THE new regimental goat for the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh is to be put through his paces at a charity event.

The latest William ‘Billy’ Windsor is to make one of his first public appearances in aid of Help for Heroes at the Wild Waters Hotel in Llangollen on April 10.

Members of the public will be able to pay to have their photographs taken with the goat, who is continuing a 200-year Army tradition since being selected from the Great Orme herd above Llandudno last summer.

He has been undergoing extensive training at Dale Barracks, Chester, took pride of place in St David’s Day celebrations at the camp earlier this month, and should be ready for full duties for when the battalion returns from Afghanistan in May and for a VIP visit in June.

The goat is not a mascot but a full member of the regiment, needs to behave accordingly and be calm on duty, and will lead the band during formal ceremonial duties.

Major Brian Blore said: “He should behave – hopefully! He is quite good now. He has been marching around the camp, seeing the soldiers and getting used to the public.”

He added: “We try to keep up the traditions although the men are in Afghanistan at present.”

Heather Davies, who is organising the charity cabaret event, said: “This is a wonderful tradition going back many years and people will want to meet the new young goat who has had heavy responsibilities thrust upon him since he left the Great Orme.”

The last regimental goat, the previous Billy, retired last summer after a seven year military career.